Kenya president postpones reopening of schools as flood-related deaths pass 200

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenyan President William Ruto has postponed subsequent week’s deliberate reopening of colleges till additional discover, as heavy rains and floods which have killed greater than 200 individuals proceed.

The president in his state of the nation handle on Friday stated that “meteorological reviews paint a dire image,” citing the opportunity of Cyclone Hidaya hitting coastal Kenya in coming days.

Kenya and different elements of East Africa have been overwhelmed by flooding, with greater than 150,000 displaced individuals dwelling in camps throughout the nation.

Colleges initially have been to reopen this week, however the schooling ministry postponed that by every week. College students will now watch for the announcement of latest reopening dates as some faculties stay flooded and others have been broken. Some displaced individuals have been dwelling in faculties whereas the federal government prepares to relocate them to camps.

The federal government has ordered individuals dwelling close to 178 dams and reservoirs which are both full or practically full to evacuate or be forcefully moved.

Water ranges at two main hydroelectric dams have reached historic highs and the federal government has warned these dwelling downstream alongside the Tana River.

Final week, a ship capsized on the river, which flows to the Indian Ocean, leaving seven individuals lifeless and 13 others lacking. A passenger bus was additionally swept off a bridge alongside the identical river final month.

The federal government has been accused of an insufficient response to the floods.

The flooding has left greater than 155 individuals lifeless in neighboring Tanzania, the place Cyclone Hidaya is predicted to hit coastal areas. A whole lot of individuals have been affected in Burundi, Ethiopia and Somalia as properly.